Shenandoah National Park

About this place

Shenandoah National Park is a national park in Virginia covering part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 21 km south of the town of Luray and 131 km west of Washington, D.C., in a straight line. The park is long and narrow, with the broad Shenandoah River valley to the west and the rolling Piedmont hills to the east. Skyline Drive, the main park road, runs mostly along the ridgeline. Almost 40 per cent of the park, about 322 square kilometres, is designated wilderness. Its highest peak is Hawksbill Mountain at 1,235 metres, and the famous Appalachian Trail runs through it. The park spans parts of eight counties. Ridges of blue, forested mountains roll to the horizon, the road looking down over green valleys and farms below, and in autumn the forests turn famously red, orange and gold. On clear nights the stars shine brightly far from city lights. Visitors drive Skyline Drive, stopping at dozens of overlooks, and hike trails to waterfalls and summits. Autumn is the most famous and busiest season.